High ankle sprains are so prevalent and frustrating in the NFL that the phrase "dreaded high ankle sprain" is practically a medical term by now.
The injury usually keeps players out for weeks, but Falcons running back Michael Turner may miss only one game after suffering the injury. Turner returned to practice Wednesday as the 5-5 Falcons endeavored to turn around their midseason slide.
"Michael was limited today and took some reps," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Hopefully, we'll get a good read on him after practice and tomorrow."
The Falcons are hopeful Turner can play against the Buccaneers Sunday, but will have to see how the ankle responds to practice. The team's backfield should already be bolstered by Jerious Norwood, who returned to a full practice Wednesday.
Norwood is expected to play in his first game since Week Five, and Jason Snelling was a more than capable replacement for Turner last week.
Running the ball isn't Atlanta's problem whether Turner plays or not. It's finding some defenders that can stop the run. And the pass.
Michael Turner makes speedy return to practice
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on November 25, 2009 7:39 PM ET
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Latest stories in: Atlanta Falcons, Injuries, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Injuries, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Atlanta Falcons, Injuries, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Injuries, Top Stories
Why try to put him in against the Bucs?
If the Falcons can't beat the Bucs without Turner, who gives a crap about whether they make the playoffs or not?
Let him rest another week PLEASE!! We won't need him against Tampa. Snelling and Norwood will go for 150+ combined and we will SLAUGHTER the Bucs. However we WILL need Turner the following week against Philly.
11-5? Go Falcons.
They will let him rest.
And Bucs give up a lot of explosive run plays ... Norwood high leg-kick, anyone?
Agree with the first two posts above: rest Michael Turner. He finally had a nice productive streak going against the Sedrick Ellis-less Saints (20 car., 151 yards) earlier this month & then 18 carries for 166 against the Redskins the next week & then had 111 yards late into the 2nd quarter against Carolina's injury plagued D-line (and w/o LB Thomas Davis at that point) when his injury occurred. Jason Snelling & the constantly nicked up Norwood will do fine in the Georgia Dome. Save Turner for the wild card run. Go Falcons! Go Patriots!
He will be listed as Questionable...you know the routine.
This is really gonna screw me in Fantasy Football..Snelling was a HUGE pickup...take some PTO turner.
God it sucks being a Bucs fan right now.
Or kick a Goddam field goal!!!!!
If the Falcons had a healty, competent field goal kicker, they would have at least two more wins this season.
That my friends, is simply bad coaching, to put a kicker out there that can't kick.
Or to let another kicker do the holding!!!!
Can you say conflict of interest?
RETARDED!!!!
Loyalty to a kicker is simply a sucker's bet.
Also a sign of an immature coaching and management decision.